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American Sustainable Business Institute Inc

EIN 45-2384297 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of American Sustainable Business Institute is to advance public policies that foster a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy. We do this in two ways: first, we research and communicate to businesses, policy makers, and the media how a sustainable economy based on broad prosperity is good for business and good for America. Second, we provide a platform that enables businesses and business associations to engage executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs, and other business professionals in the public debate.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
15
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$171,814, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 160% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. Organizations MembershipASBN has grown to represent an even greater diversity of business organizations, which cover the gamut of local and state chambers of commerce, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business groups, main street, women business leaders, economic development and organizations. The diversity of sectors and geographies has also increased tremendously.Building New Business OrganizationsBesides working to strengthen existing member organizations ASBN has endeavored to build new organizations where none existed including Ohio and Iowa. We also have worked to build statewide associations bringing together business organizations to build a greater power in their state including North Carolina, New York and Kentucky.OSHAASBN has submitted business nominations to the U.S. Department of Labor for the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). ASBN has submitted ten business leaders to participate in the OSHA small business review panel to review the injury and illness prevention program.Department of EnergyCoordinated with our business supporters, ASBN coordinated a series of meetings with U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and others from the White House on the potential for advancing biobased and renewable chemicals.Communications and MediaASBN continues to garner increasing press coverage. We have now reached the credibility level where we are regularly contacted by media outlets like the Washington Post, Politico, and The Hill for access to our business leaders. Some of the selected highlights include:Workplace IssuesASBN continued to build its business support for good/sustainable workplaces. ASBN has also provided identification, outreach, education, and engagement of business leaders across sectors and across the country on earned/paid sick days and minimum wage. ASBN has begun exploratory work to understand the latest tools and systems being created by cutting edge businesses to create more democratic, healthy and safe work environments.Safer Chemicals and Sustainable Materials:Our efforts focused on making the jobs, business, and general economic case to support environmental health issues from regulations of hazardous chemicals to driving toward green chemistry and sustainable materials.Regulations:We have mounted a strong educational effort in support of good regulations. Our work focuses on making the case for why environmental regulations, particularly clean air and water rules, make good business sense to small and midsized companies.Keystone Pipeline: ASBN has educated small and midsized companies about the economic case of construction of the transborder pipeline linking business voiced environmental health, environmental, and economic arguments.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.